Rep. Rob Andrews leaving Congress for position with Dilworth Paxson

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews, a Democrat representing parts of southern New

Jersey, announced this week that he is resigning his congressional seat in order to take a position with the law firm Dilworth Paxson.

Andrews, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1990, will be joining the Philadelphia-based firm to lead its Government Relations practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington, D.C., according to the law firm.

“I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about joining Dilworth at this moment in its history,” Andrews said in a statement. “I’ve enjoyed a long relationship with the Firm and count many of its members among my dear friends.”

Andrews, who lives in Haddon Heights, N.J., and in his capacity as congressman has represented portions of Camden, Gloucester and Burlington Counties in the Garden State, is said to have a longstanding relationship with Dilworth Paxson Chairman Lawrence C. McMichael, and fellow firm leaders Joseph H. Jacovini and Stephen J. Harmelin.

According to news reports, Andrews, 56, has denied that his decision to leave Congress was at all affected by a year-long investigation into the use of campaign money for a family trip abroad.

The legislator has denied any wrongdoing, saying that he never violated any laws or House rules, and blaming the allegations on a partisan dispute with a New Jersey Republican leader.

“This was the entirety of the campaign against me in 2012,” Andrews was quoted as saying in the Philadelphia Inquirer. “And the people rendered their judgment.”

As for his career move, Andrews is expected to start his job with Dilworth Paxson later this month.

Dilworth Paxson CEO Ajay Raju told the website NJBiz.com that Andrews’ move to the firm would be a “welcome addition.”

“We’re committed to securing talent with the kind of deep, broad-based knowledge and problem solving expertise demonstrated by Congressman Andrews that allows us to enhance and expand the critical services and solutions we provide to our clients,” Raju said, according to the website.

The site further reported that Dilworth Paxson was said to have been responsible in assisting South Jersey Democratic powerbroker George Norcross’ Interstate General Media in its 2012 acquisition of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Philadelphia Daily News, and the website Philly.com.

Norcross is currently embroiled in litigation at Philadelphia’s Common Pleas Court concerning the future of the two newspapers and their website.

He is currently part owner, although a public spat over the prior firing of the Inquirer’s editor has caused a rift between the co-owners, and there is talk that Interstate General Media is looking to dissolve and sell the papers and website.

Norcross’ brother, Donald Norcross, a New Jersey state senator, is looking to succeed Rep. Andrews in his congressional seat.